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While the number of guns found at airport security checkpoints nationally increased by 20 percent last year, Salt Lake City International Airport saw a drop from 34 to 30 firearms discovered.

Still, the rate of guns found in Salt Lake City per million passengers is about 40 percent higher than the national average: 4.81 compared to 3.38.

"Obviously we have a lot more firearms in Utah" than many states, said Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, who is a concealed-carry permit instructor. "With as many [guns] as we have, that [rate] is pretty good."

Oda joined Transportation Security Administration officials at the airport to announce the statistics Thursday, urge more caution by gun owners and say that concealed-carry permit instructors plan to include in their training more instructions about how to travel legally and safely with guns.

"Most violations are just people being absent-minded," said Ronald Malin, TSA federal security director for Utah. Oda added, "There's really no excuse for this kind of error."

But more than 2,200 firearms were seized at airports nationally in 2014, up from 1,1813 a year earlier. "This is more than at any time in TSA history, which started in November 2001," Malin said.

"The majority of these are loaded. In fact, a majority have a round in the chamber," he added.

Malin noted that "firearms are never allowed in carry-on baggage, and they can never be transported in the cabin of a commercial aircraft." The same goes for ammunition, gun parts and replica guns.

Firearms can be carried in checked baggage if they are unloaded, put in a locked hard-sided case and are declared at the airline counter.

Oda said instructors for Utah concealed-carry permits are working to spread those rules to their students. More than 590,000 people hold such Utah permits ­— 390,000 of them out of state, and obtain Utah permits because they are recognized by many states.

"We want to be the leader here in Utah for the nation," Oda said.

Oda encourages gun owners to check and re-check luggage before traveling to ensure they are not carrying any prohibited items, and to ensure they have properly stored a gun that they may normally carry.

Malin noted that when a gun is found at security checkpoints, airport police are called — and they decide whether to arrest the owner, who at the very least will miss his or her flight. Additionally, TSA can also levy a civil penalty against the passenger for up to $7,500.

"Bringing a firearm to a checkpoint is a very expensive and inconvenient mistake," Malin said. —

Airport gun seizures

2011 • Nationally, 1,320. Salt Lake City, 26.

2012 • Nationally, 1,549. Salt Lake City, 20.

2013 • Nationally, 1,813. Salt Lake City, 34.

2014 • Nationally, 2,200-plus. Salt Lake City, 30.

Source: Tranportation Security Administration.